King William II Rufus

1056 – 1100 · Generation IX · King of England (r. 1087–1100) · House of Normandy

William II Rufus (1056–1100). King of England (r. 1087–1100). Killed by an arrow in the New Forest; his brother rode straight for the treasury. Third son of the Conqueror, he was called Rufus — “the Red” — perhaps for his ruddy look, more likely for red hair. He held power over Normandy and lordship in Scotland, though Wales largely resisted his reach, and he never married or had children, which has led some historians to speculate about his sexuality. The historian Frank Barlow paints him in two colours at once: an unpolished, reckless soldier-king short on dignity, refinement, and outward piety — his critics alleged far worse — yet also a wise ruler and victorious general who maintained order and justice in England, brought peace back to Normandy, recovered Maine, and pressed his claims in the Vexin. The behaviour of those around him at his death has raised strong but unproven suspicions of murder.

One of 7 people of House of Normandy (until 1154) in this archive. The conqueror’s house — William I took the English crown in 1066 and his sons held it after him.

Read more on Wikipedia

Parents

• King William I The Conqueror (1028 – 1087)
• Matilda of Flanders (1031 – 1083)

Siblings

• Adela of Normandy (1067 – 1137)
• King Henry I (1068 – 1135)

Life

• 1056 — Born
• 1087 — William Il accedes to the throne on the death of his father, William I.
• 1088 — William crushes a baronial rebellion in Normandy led by his uncle, Odo of Bayeux. William’s brother, Robert, supports the claims of Normandy to the English throne.
• 1089 — Ranulf Flambard, leading adviser to William, is appointed Justiciar (the King’s judicial officer). He begins to levy heavy taxes on the church.
• 1090 — William leads an invasion of Normandy in an attempt to subdue his brother, Robert.
• 1091 — William defeats an invasion of England led by Malcolm III of Scotland.
• 1095 — William suppresses revolt in Northumbria.
• 1098 — William suppresses a Welsh rebellion against the Norman border lords.
• 1100 — Died
• 1100 — William is killed by an arrow while out hunting in the New Forest. Supposedly an accident, it has been suggested that he was shot deliberately on the instructions of his brother Henry